"I have to show my fans in Australia and show people around the world that I have still got it, that I am still one of the best ranked fighters in the world."

Geale said the pain of his narrow loss to Barker, who retired this week because of a chronic hip injury, still lingers.

"That loss is what spurs me on," he said.

"Knowing I was so close in that fight and knowing that if I get the chance again against any of the world champions that I can beat any of them on the night.

"So I have to make sure I can get to that position again and make the most of those opportunities when they come.

"I have had disappointment in my career and it just motivates me to do more. I don't want that to happen again.

"I am going to do everything in my power to ensure that doesn't happen again and whether that is against Garth or whether it is the best fighters in the world I want to make sure I am exactly where I want to be."

NSW and Cronulla captain Paul Gallen will make his professional debut on the undercard of Geale-Wood against 19-year-old Queenslander Herman Ene-Purcell, who has a 1-1 win-loss record.